Should you ever pay a visit to Motipur, you will surely hear of Vasanti the simpleton!
The earliest story about her goes back to the very day she arrived in the village, as a bride. She served her mother-in-law with great love throughout the day and, at night, asked her in a tender voice, “When do you propose to leave for heaven?”
“What did you say, my child?” asked mother-in-law.
“Now that I am here to run the household, you can depart to heaven, can’t you?” explained Vasanti.
The mother-in-law was taken aback. “Why do you say so, my daughter?” she asked showing great patience.
“It is because my mother often says that the day my brother would marry and she would bring home a daughter-in-law, she would die in order to dwell in peace in heaven. Such good luck is yet to come to her, but you’ve got it already,” answered Vasanti.
The mother-in-law now understood how childish and innocent Vasanti was. She smiled and said, “I wanted to enter heaven right now. But God says that I should stay on here till the arrival of a grandchild.”
“I see. That is fine,” said Vasanti happily.
In due course of time, Vasanti gave birth to a child. “Mother, do you- propose to leave for heaven now?” she asked her mother-in-law.
“Oh no. God says that if I leave you now, it will be very difficult for you to manage the baby all alone,” said the mother-in-law.
“How correct God is! He is quite wise, I must say!” observed Vasanti.
“Yes, my child, perhaps wiser than you!” commented the mother-in-law, laughing.
Vasanti’s son grew up and it was no longer necessary to take much care of him. One day Vasanti asked her mother-in-law, “Mother, are you departing for heaven now?”
The old lady laughed and said, “I wanted to depart. But it is reported that just now there is no space in heaven for newcomers.”
“Quite possible. Don’t I see even those wastelands around our village now crowded with people? Heaven is a better place, no wonder it should be over-populated,” said Vasanti.
Years passed. Vasanti’s son became a young man and got married. The day the bride came home Vasanti appeared
before her mother-in-law, looking pale.
“What is it, my child?” asked the old lady affectionately.
“Mother!” whispered Vasanti, “Won’t my daughter-in-law ask me to depart to heaven now that she is here to take charge of our household? But I don’t feel any urge to go away now!”
The old woman laughed and patted Vasanti on the back and said, “No, no, my child. Your daughter-in-law is not likely to put such a proposal before you. All are not so eager to give peace to their mothers-in-law! If at all she says any such thing to you, you can tell her that unless I depart there first and arrange accommodation for you, you cannot arrive there!’”
“That is a good idea!” said Vasanti happily.
